Chinese Researchers Test Cars That Hover Over Road Using Magnets

The modified cars were tested over a specially modified highway and they were able to levitate almost an inch off the ground.

A video shows a modified passenger vehicle gliding along the surface while its four tires spin in the air, rendered useless by what appear to be magnetic repulsors attached to the bottom of the vehicle

Is this the future of the car? The maglev cars are being tested to see if they can reduce energy consumption.

The clunky equipment and rocky ride seen in the video are just some of the engineering challenges that still need to be solved before the tech could be practical.

Glide in Style

There aren't many details surrounding the test. Eight modified vehicles were tested on a five mile stretch of road.

The road and vehicles had to be modified to pull off the stunt. Engineers put permanent magnets on the floor of the vehicles and ran a conductor rail along the highway.

Cars reached a reported speed of 142 mph. The country's maglev bullet trains can reach speeds of up to 373 mph.

The construction of the country's first independently-developed trial line using maglev technologies was announced by China.

The Maglev car technology is being tested on a highway.

The startup says the train could travel up to 600 mph.